I have been having low back pain for a year now, was in the hospital and rehab to walk again, had a second MRI 2 weeks ago and don't understand it; the MRI said "There is a small disc osteophyte complex; the neural formina and spinal canal remains capacious.

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In general, neurologist are usually only helpful if nerves are being irritated by a back problem. If you have pain, numbnes, and tingling in the legs, then a neurologist would be helpful. If you just have back pain, then a physiatrist would be more helpful.

Your MRI should be explained to you by the doctor who ordered the imaging study and who can actually read and confirm the radiologist's report. You need some straight talk about your MRI.

Daniel C. Potts, M.D. is a neurologist, author, educator and champion of those with Alzheimer’s disease as well as their caregivers. Dr. Potts communicates this dedication by being accessible to those of us who represent family caregivers, so I took advantage of his willingness to help by asking him some common questions that many family caregivers face.
CBB: Dr. Potts, unfortunately, there’s still a stigma attached to cognitive problems. My first question is how can a spouse or adult child convince a reluctant family member to see a doctor for memory issues?
“This is a tough one and really represents a judgment call,” Dr. Potts said. “If the child or spouse senses their loved one may balk at the idea, or may be in denial or not recognize their cognitive issues, then I suggest that they focus on potential medical reasons that a visit to the doctor may be needed. You could say, ‘Dad, you really need to get that back pain checked o...

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I have a few question to ask and hope you can help me. In 1996 I started with some headaches and it went to the point that I was seeing double. I am a truck driver and by just turning my head to look in my mirror when I was turning ahead I would see double for a few seconds and it went to the point that it would last longer. So I went to see my doctor and they run test and after almost a year of test an eliminating every thing else one neurologist told me I had basilar migraine. Since than its been pretty good but about 2 months ago it started again with same symptoms vertigo, nausea, trouble standing up. Its been bothering me since and right now I don't dare driving because of the problems. I went to see my doctor and waiting to go see a neurologist but what do I do in the mean time? Some days is ok but a lot of days I have pressure in the back of my neck and if I make fast movement I get nausea and vertigo. What would cause that and is it possible that it would bot...

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My migraines always go in cycles, bad to not so bad, lasting months to years before changing again. Recently they are worse than they have ever been since I started having them 30 years ago. I wake up with it, am nauseous, often vomit, feel like a limp dish rag the next day and take up to 4 days to recover. My neurologist wants to do a sleep study. What will this determine? I've had 3 previous ones and they were all "inconclusive." Toni.
Answer:
Dear Toni;
The most common triggers for waking with a Migraine are sleep issues:
too much sleep
too little sleep
disrupted sleep
poor quality sleep
irregular sleep schedule
There's information on this in our video Migraines, Headaches, and Sleep . A properly conducted sleep study would indicate the presence of any sleep disorders, and give a good sense of the quality of your sleep.
Good luck, John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert
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